Botanical prints: Natural art printed on clothing

 

By Milagros Davalos Flores

When we refer to botanical printing or ecoprint , it is being able to obtain a print of that leaf or flower, whether on fabric or paper; it is transferring the pigments to these materials, but above all it is a natural art that Mother Earth gives us to decorate our looms, and to make unique and unrepeatable garments, it is a craft activity.

A craft activity through time

Since ancient times, botanical printing has been used in manuscripts in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries to keep a record of the plants used in medicine.

During the Renaissance, in Leonardo da Vinci 's manuscript we find an impression of a sage leaf along with botanical printing instructions .

Already in the 90s, ecoprint was developed by the artist India Flint , in her book “ Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles”, where she illustrates different techniques to reproduce the shape and colours of flowers, plants, roots and bark on natural fabrics, as part of integrating the beauty of nature into our looms.

Awesome process

We started this great adventure by collecting plant material, then we moved on to washing and classifying it.

We began the creation of our design, where we let out all our artistic talents, it is an incredible therapy, in reality everything that involves interacting with nature is very relaxing and de-stressing .

Then we roll it up and take it to the oven where nature will do its magic; the pigments of the leaves or flowers will begin to impregnate the loom. It is a time to have a cup of coffee while nature takes its time with the process.

As a final stage, we take out the loom and unroll it, wash it and, voila, we have natural art impregnated in our canvas, wonderful!!!

Killa has been developing different designs using castor oil leaves, eucalyptus, molle, teak, pine nuts, among others. All of these are made with cotton-based fabrics and natural fibers in conjunction with the Yanesha Wamprat Association of Artisans of Lomalinda in Palcazú, Pasco, where training has been provided by Designer Elizabeth Luna to improve the finish of her work.

 

Importance of botanical printing or ecoprint for the planet

Botanical printing or ecoprint is a job that does not involve toxic substances for the environment, or for the personnel who handle it. We work according to the rhythm of nature, creating unique and unrepeatable pieces just as nature is; they are pieces where we do not force the material to be perfect, we respect what Mother Nature gives us. In each process we do not stop connecting with the plant material, so each garment not only has the plant material printed on it but also the passion of the person who is making it.

So when you wear a garment with a botanical print, feel protected by nature and show off its biodiversity, be a walking showcase of its beauty .